Franck Muller Geneve

The Franck Muller Story

A Contemporary Success Story

Born in 1958

Born in Switzerland on July 11th 1958, of an Italian mother and a Swiss father, Franck
Muller was raised in a multicultural environment. From a very early age, he develops a
growing interest for all mechanical devices. It does not take long before the young Franck
starts to disassemble all the machines in the house to study their "hearts". During his
teens, he collects antique astrological instruments that he buys at the flea market.
Mechanics and time, an equation reveals itself naturally: it is Time to which he is going
to devote himself.

School of Watch Making

He enters the famous Geneva School of Watch making in 1981. After 4 years of remarkable
studies, he receives the highest distinction and prizes. Faithful to his independence of
state and mind, he chooses the most difficult path: to create his own workshop instead of
joining a brand or a group of watchmakers. It does not take long before his reputation is
made: gifted by exception technical talent, auction houses and collectors from all over the
world send him their treasures for restoration.

Creating the Start

After a few years in this field, he starts the creation of unique timepieces under his
own name. Throughout his studies and first years as a watch restorer, Franck Muller comes
to a conclusion regarding the horology world: since XIXth century, few technical inventions
have been developed and applied to wristwatches. Willing to change this situation, he
decides to devote his work to the realization of unique timepieces, wristwatches to be
specific, which offer the same level of technical feats as those presented in pocket watches.
This prerogative becomes a goal that the young entrepreneur will always hold at hearth.

The First Wristwatches

In 1983, after months of research and micro-mechanical tests, Franck Muller is proud to
present his first wristwatches. They all present a complicated movement that has been
entirely created by him.

World Premiere Once a Year

As of 1983, Franck Muller unveils a World Premiere once a year: the gifted watchmaker
reveals his invention, may it be a Tourbillon (1983), a Tourbillon with jumping hours (1986),
a Tourbillon with Minute Repeater (1987), an inverted Tourbillon with Minute Repeater and
Perpetual Calendar (1989), etc...

The Watch Making Genius

In 1992, the man that is now called by his peers the "watchmaking genius" has the
privilege to see one of his models granted the exclusive title of "most complicated
wristwatch in the world". This unique timepiece is forever in the history of Fine
Watchmaking for never before has such a complicated wristwatch been made: Grande and
Petite Sonnerie, Minute Repeater for the hours, quarters and minutes, a Perpetual Calendar
programmed to the year 2100 with date, day of the week, month and monthly retrograde
equation, leap-year cycle, 24-hour moon phase indicator, indicator of the internal
temperature of the mechanism.

Franck Muller Genenve

1992 is also a milestone since it is then that the talented entrepreneur establishes
his own company, namely Franck Muller Geneve. Nestled in a village called Genthod, in the
neighbouring countryside of Geneva, he finds, in this enchanting and poetic environment,
the inspiration that will promote his creations. The extreme serenity and peacefulness
of these surroundings reflect the quest of harmony and perfection to which the creator
aspires.

The Important Step

1995 symbolizes an important step in the history of Franck Muller: a new institutional
and production site is inaugurated. Remaining faithful to his wish to evolve in a preserved
environment, it is established in the very same village where he started his activity in
1983, namely Genthod. Only this time, it is a turn of the XIX century mansion that is
restored to become, in just a few months, the marvelous headquarters of this promising
brand.

The Wildest Dream

In 1998, Franck Muller once again surpasses collector's wildest dream: he adds to the
1992 and 1995 World Premieres a Chronograph with a 60-minutes counter and power reserve
indicators to the striking-mechanism and movement. This exceptional piece is immediately
recognized as the most complicated wristwatch of the world. 1998 is also the year that
marks the beginning of the vast architectural expansion of the company. Watchland, an
extraordinary concept, will enable to concentrate on the same property all the various
stages of the making of a watch: conception, design, creation, prototype, research and
development, stamping, assembling, etc... Watchland, a one of a kind site will be devoted
to the world of watches. Not only will it allow to perpetuate the craftsmanship and
tradition of watchmaking, it will also enable the public to discover this remarkable
field since it will be entirely open to everyone.

The First World Presentation

1998 is furthermore a milestone year since it is then that the first World Presentation
of Haute Horology is organized. This exhibition, held on the Watchland site, is dedicated
to the very best of this industry, namely the craft of the finest timepieces. The WHPP,
greeted with success form its very first edition (2,800 visitors in 1998), has had an
international reach ever since.

The First Stones

In 1999, the first stones of the two new Franck Muller Watchland buildings are laid.
The constructions should be completed by the beginning of the year 2001. 1999 also
represents the year of continuity and reinforcement. Just like at the very beginning,
one of the main priorities of the brand is to remain independent. Independence of
creation, of innovation, of strategy, the brand is proud to use all means to respond
to one unique criterion: the creation of exceptional timepieces. Between the 21st and
the 28th of April 1999, the 2nd edition of the WPHH is held on the production site in
Genthod and is visited by more than 3500 people. In 2000, the improvement of the
institutional and production departments has assured the constant expansion of the
brand. Although the two new buildings aren't completed, a project for 2 additional
buildings is already under study, in order to follow the developments and success of
the brand.

The Office Inauguration

2001 is symbolized by the official inauguration of the Franck Muller Watchland. This
one-of-a-kind concept unites on the same site all the steps of production of a watch:
design, creation, engineering, study and development, prototypes, movements, stamping,
watchmaking, casing, after sales department, etc... Located on a superb private park of
38,000 square meters in the outskirts of Geneva (village of Genthod), the Franck Muller
Watchland is unforgettable. Its breathtaking view of the Lemon Lake and of the
Mont-Blanc, its turn-of-the-XIXth century architectural style, its luxuriant vegetation,
all these elements and many more make of this place one that is absolutely unique. Open
to the public by appointment, visitors from all over the world come to visit it.
Furthermore, at the Franck Muller Watchland, the visitors have the liberty of visiting
all the steps involved in the process of the making of a watch: the mystery of
watchmaking is unfolded in front of them. So far, it is the first time ever that one
is allowed to enter so intimately the secret world of this secular art.

The Public Opening

On March 31st 2001, amongst the representatives of the state of Geneva, of celebrities
from all over the world, of the Swiss and International Press, of clients and friends,
the Franck Muller Watchland is officially inaugurated. On such an occasion, a memorable
day and evening was organized: formal inauguration by the "Vieux-Grenadiers" (typical
Geneva Protocol) who fire their rifles, thus symbolically "opening" the site to the
public; cocktail and exclusive dinner gala; fashion show; private concert with world
famous singer Charles Aznavour; followed by a dance party until the end of the night
with the hippest Paris DJ's.

The First Jewellery Collections

2001 is also the year of the creation of the first jewellery collections by Franck
Muller. This is a project that Franck Muller held at heart for a couple of years already.
After many months of studies and creation, Franck Muller presents two jewellery
collections that respect in all points the criteria that he has always applied when
manufacturing his watches: quality, originality, unique design.

Two New Brands

In 2001, two new brands are launched at the WPHH to complement the range of high
quality watches already produced:

PIERRE KUNZ: a brand carried forward by a watchmaker who has been developing
highly complicated pieces for Franck Muller for a couple of years and to whom
the founder of the company has given the liberty to realize watches under his name.

ECW: a brand of sporty, trendy, high quality watches with an innovative and
resolutely outstanding design.

The Stylish Celebration

2002: Tenth Anniversary of the company Franck Muller Geneve. Evidently, the prestigious
House had to celebrate this year with style. Throughout the world, various events took place
to mark this very special date. In April, the 5th edition of the W.P.H.H. is held on the
premises of the Frank Muller Watchland. Again, an extraordinary Dinner Gala is offered to
the local authorities, internation VIP's, clients and friends. Paul Anka himself will host
the evening and all guests agreed that this was the best party ever. To mark this anniversary,
Frank Muller reveals an outstanding wristwatch: The Tourbillon Revolution. This amazing time
piece is the result of many years of research and development. Its mechanical conception is
simply unique. Once again, Franck Muller is granted the title of all time "Master of
complication".

First Prize is Granted

In October 2002, Franck Muller Geneve is granted the first prize, men's category, of the
Geneve Watch Making Grand Prix. This exclusive prize confirms the watchmaker's exceptional
talent.